FYH Chapter 59

Roderick was at a loss for words, rubbing his forehead while laughing.

“Why are you like this again?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you looking so down? Is it really that upsetting?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“What’s not like that? Your face says otherwise.”

He pressed his fingers gently against Lee-Jae’s chin a couple of times.

“Anyway, stay in bed today. Just sleep some more.”

“…”

“I’ll come by in the afternoon, okay?”

Roderick stood up. He was about to tell the head maid to make sure Lee-Jae had her meals, but Lee-Jae hesitated and tugged at the end of his sleeve.

Roderick mouthed, “What?”

“I was supposed to see the doctor and take some medicine this afternoon.”

“…Are you joking?”

“No.”

“Is it because you’re still a little drunk?”

“No.”

Roderick let out a faint laugh before looking serious. He couldn’t get angry with the Queen, so he turned around and spoke to the others.

“Someone, come out and argue on my behalf.”

Naturally, no one dared to intervene in the conversation between the married couple. Everyone also knew the likely outcome—Roderick would either give in to the Queen or actually lose.

In fact, ever since the King had returned from the riverside, he had been silent even when the Queen went out to the lakeside. It was a well-known fact that he had even allowed the Queen to turn the royal treasure, the Arthur’s Forest, into a herb garden for her hobbies.

Roderick took a deep breath to calm himself and then addressed Lee-Jae.

“What kind of medicine are you taking? Whose medicine is it?”

Lee-Jae blinked at him with a “Do you really not know?” look on her face.

“You really know how to drive a person crazy in so many ways.”

“…”

“Hey, Peanut.”

Lee-Jae muttered quietly.

“I’m not a peanut.”

“Sure, you’re not. A sick peanut.”

“…”

“You’re the one who has to take the medicine, not me. I’m standing while you’re lying down.”

Anyone would agree that this was a fair point. Even Lee-Jae couldn’t deny it this time. The pain wasn’t from the vengeful spirit but from the hangover itself.

“You could rest in the morning, couldn’t you?”

“…Sigh.”

“But isn’t it true that for a hangover, you need to be active to get better? If I lie down, I’ll just get a headache.”

“…This is getting ridiculous. That’s something you say when you’re somewhat okay. Where did you hear that?”

Roderick furrowed his brow, looking around as he asked,

“Who keeps telling the Queen these weird things?”

It was from the drunken spirit!

Lee-Jae didn’t answer, just smiling faintly.

 

The physician had an uncomfortable look on his face. The expressions of the onlookers weren’t any better.

King Roderick was fanning the fire with a gruff face, and the Queen was sitting beside him, also fanning.

The medicine Roderick and Lee-Jae were brewing was Roderick’s own, and the medicine the physician was preparing, under the King’s orders, was Lee-Jae’s.

The King had once said,

‘I feel like my room is getting stranger by the day.’

The people watching had similar thoughts.

‘It feels like the castle is getting stranger by the day.’

‘Actually, the one who’s getting the strangest is His Majesty.’

‘But the Queen is pretty stubborn too.’

The smoke from the fire made their eyes sting, but Lee-Jae didn’t even blink, fully focused on her task. She was very serious about it. But sometimes there are things that can’t be hidden—like love and sneezes.

When Lee-Jae sneezed, Roderick glanced at her. His face was still gruff, but he suddenly pulled her chair back, making her fall slightly behind. What Lee-Jae couldn’t hide was a sneeze, but what Roderick couldn’t hide was his love.

For a moment, Lee-Jae paused, her face conflicted. But she eventually gestured for the physician to stand up.

“Your Majesty.”

“What?”

Lee-Jae silently pointed toward the other side. Roderick, slightly exasperated, went over and sat in the physician’s place. Then he resumed fanning with even more intensity.

The physician’s face grew even more uncomfortable.

Seeing the King’s displeased expression, Lee-Jae couldn’t help but smirk.

“I told you, you didn’t have to come. Why did you have to show up?”

This wasn’t just any medicine. It was made from herbs Lee-Jae had personally grown in Arthur’s Forest, mixed with the history of her time as a kitchen maid, and the incantations she had overheard in the village school. Even the King, as the direct beneficiary, couldn’t interfere.

Lee-Jae was working with all her might, but Roderick spoke up soon after.

“Hailey.”

“What?”

“I think this is a big problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think I’m really good at this.”

Lee-Jae bit her lip tightly, trying not to laugh. It would be problematic if she burst into laughter. She placed a hand on her stomach and focused on her task.

But when Roderick saw her trying to suppress a smile, he said,

“You seem to have a talent for it. But why am I so annoyed?”

Roderick honestly wasn’t interested in the medicine; his focus was entirely on the Queen.

He tossed the fan aside, stood up, and gestured to the physician. “You do it.”

Roderick then returned to Lee-Jae’s side.

When she glanced up at him, Roderick wordlessly took the fan from her. After all, it seemed like the Queen needed some rest. People had started to misinterpret things, and it was clear her face hadn’t been looking well lately. He had come to stop her from overworking herself.

However, Lee-Jae reached out to reclaim the fan, and Roderick raised his hand higher.

The King and Queen unexpectedly began to bicker, almost getting into a playful physical struggle. The Queen was practically clinging to the King in an attempt to grab the fan, and the King, enjoying the closeness, wouldn’t give it to her. In the midst of this, he teasingly kissed her on the forehead.

They were certainly a couple with a good relationship, which is why the onlookers’ expressions also grew just as sour.

“Come on, really. If you’re going to interfere like this, just leave.”

Roderick looked utterly exasperated.

“Wasn’t this made for me?”

“That’s right.”

“While this medicine heals my body, what’s going to heal my poor, wounded heart?”

Lee-Jae once again bit her lip tightly to stop herself from laughing.

Your Majesty, you seem to know your rhymes? Her hand succeeded in passing the necklace.*

[*T/N: Comes from a meme of a rapping tv show where people get a necklace after passing a round. Here, it means Lee-Jae recognizes how much Roderick has learned while hanging around her.]

Lee-Jae finally snatched the fan from his hand and continued to stare intently at the potion, which was now bubbling and heating up. Roderick, with his chin resting on his hand, watched her intently.

His previously gruff expression softened as he observed her.

She was beautiful. Why did this apricot-colored fox have such a beautiful face?

Without thinking, he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“You’re really annoying.”

“This is a big problem. Now, no matter how many times I get rejected, it won’t even hurt.”

“…” 

“I never thought I’d be this strong of a man.”

“I know, I know. I’ll finish soon, so please stop.”

Lee-Jae finally gave up, covering her face and letting out a small laugh. Seeing this, Roderick also smiled widely.

“Are you really okay? I’m just worried.”

“I told you, I’m fine. You probably won’t believe it, but I’m not in bad shape.”

“Alright, let’s say that’s true.”

With a small chuckle, he lowered his voice so that only she could hear.

“Hailey.”

“Yes?”

“People were saying strange things about you yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

Lee-Jae, who had been confused, nodded and then laughed.

“Why are you explaining all of that? Let people think what they want.”

“I was just a little confused. But why didn’t you tell me about it, Your Majesty? Jade mentioned it before.”

Roderick spoke dismissively.

“Why should I tell you about that? It’s pointless.”

“Is that so?”

“Anyway, whether it’s too much, too little, or not at all, people will gossip. If they’re going to gossip, it’s better they gossip excessively. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“Alright. But why is it better for them to gossip excessively?”

Isn’t there a middle ground here? I’m genuinely curious because I have no experience in that area.

The King chuckled.

“It might sound pathetic to you, but for a man, stamina is a point of pride. In the end, they’re just jealous.”

“Hmm.”

“And well, it’s the truth, so I’m not ashamed of it. I’m confident.”

“…” 

“By the way, that was a subtle attempt at flirting.”

When he made such an overt joke, Lee-Jae responded with a smile.

“Oh, but I haven’t verified it yet, so I can’t really believe it.”

“Is that how you provoke someone? You’ve touched my competitive spirit. You’ll regret saying that later.”

“Well, I’ll just apologize when that time comes.”

Roderick chuckled.

“When the time comes?”

“…” 

“Seems like you really do have the intention of verifying it.”

“…” 

“Ah, I suddenly feel so happy.”

The trapped fox, embarrassed, could only laugh and avoid responding, but Roderick was thoroughly enjoying the sight of her in such a state.

The potion had long since gone wrong, but as long as he was happy right now, that was all that mattered.